Academy
Football is the First step
The Craig Bellamy Foundation Academy aims to offer young children the opportunity to reach their true potential in life through sport and education. The Academy will operate based largely on the successful Right to Dream Academy model, located in Ghana.
The Craig Bellamy Foundation Academy aims to offer young children the opportunity to reach their true potential in life through sport and education. The Academy will operate based largely on the successful Right to Dream Academy model, located in Ghana. The Craig Bellamy Foundation Academy will run as a fully residential international school, offering five year scholarships to children aged eleven and above. Pupils for the Academy will be recruited from a national trial attended by selected children drawn from the nationwide league system. The aim of the Craig Bellamy Foundation Academy is to create a stable environment which encourages development in three main areas; personal, athletic and education. When completed the Academy will comprise of the following facilities:
• 2 x Football Pitches
Full size grass football pitches. Built and maintained to the highest standard to ensure a good playing surface and with the correct facilities to ensure the development of young players.
• Educational and Administration Facilities
• Student and staff accommodation.
Football, personal and academic development programmes will run at the Academy. A football development program will be developed at the Academy involving U11-U13 and U14- U16 curriculums. Development Placements with European Clubs and U18 elements will also complement the program. The Education program that will run at the Academy will be based on an understanding of the range in academic abilities of children that will attend the Academy. This will include, remedial, lower secondary and upper secondary (international) elements. A Personal Support and Peer Education programme will be delivered which encourages, supports and educates pupils. The aim of the programme is to allow the pupils to make healthy decisions, feel supported to achieve their true potential in life and empower them to influence their peers to also make positive choices.
July 2010 update:
The first phase of construction is now complete and was viewed by Craig and the team in May. The first generation of boys will move in September 2010 when the pitch is ready. The facilities which are already in place include a dormitory, classrooms, canteen, shower and a staff bungalow. Electricity and water supply also remains to be connected but this is expected to be done by the time the first generation of boys enter.
Tom
March 17, 2010
I’d just like to say what an amazing person Craig is, with no bias for being a City fan! What he’s done there seems unbelievable, especially from the video I saw.
keep it up Craig, you’re a top man!
Colin Quest
March 19, 2010
I would like to second that tom , i couldnt of put it better myself…
respect to the bells
Graham
May 6, 2010
ill 3rd that, much respect for Bellamy to step up and do this for Sierra Leone. Im also looking forward to seeing the lads develop into top class football players.
Andy
May 31, 2010
I am a City fan and really rate Craig as a fantastic world class footballer who always gives 100%. I now having read this rate him 100% as a fantastic human being. It’s great to see a footballer who earns well giving so much back.
Phil Hazell
May 31, 2010
I confess as a Hearts fan I have in the past been less than complementary of Craig when he was wearing the green and white hoops of Celtic. However, I am a regular visitor to Sierra Leone for my own charity work and I was told about the Foundation by several Freetown young men. I can see see lots of Freetown youngsters, who are all football mad, switching their allegience to whatever colour shirt Craig wears next season. Thankfully I was fortunate to be able to say a personal thank you to Craig for all his efforts when I bumped into him at the luggage reclaim at Heathrow this morning.
Tony Bowden
June 5, 2010
Just wanted to say to Craig “Well Done” for offering this much needed Country a small piece of pleasure, support and opportunity. Its great to see you give this (out of your own personal pocket) – Keep up the excellent work. (PS: As a Liverpool fan I was glad to hear it wasn’t a Golf Academy – hahaha).
umaru jabbie
June 9, 2010
iam very happy to hear what craig bellamy is doing in sierra leone.i hope others will follow his example.god bless craig.
Alhaji Gamanga
June 15, 2010
I will like to thank you craig Bellamy because you have try your best to support these Sierra Leone kid to the Academy and I wish learn and abide your rule. The main thing that I want to ask is that if these boys can play in the national team our shameful is this when a big country like Sierra Leone is noyt going to the world cup of even Naion cup, take a look at Ghana no matter what the circumstances they still qualify the world cup so please I will to get a reply from you back. Thanks for your patient.
Rob
June 23, 2010
I always thought Criag Bellamy was a bit of a wind up merchant on the pitch but…. I am pleased to say that I view has changed. Hats off to what Craig is doing here in supporting these little guys! Brilliant job!
IBRAHIM BANGURA
July 15, 2010
Am a sierra leonean and live in london i wish i could have the chance to meet this great man and a saviour for my brothers.i respect craig to the max never meet him but seen him on TV but what he have done for sierra leone youth that is amazing. thank you ever so much. may u succeed in what ever you are doing in life. blessing to your family.
robbie
August 18, 2010
Well done Craig- you know that whatever you do there will always be a whinger who criticises you or your motives. You know what great impact such work does for these kids and you could be blowing the money on flashy cars and lazing on a beach all holiday! Hope it works out well for you at Cardiff.